In 1982, the United Nations declared August 9 as the day to celebrate the indigenous peoples globally, but across Asia they are constantly battling to defend their cultures, territories and, above all, their rights.
The offer made by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, which came after he announced a six-month extension to the current state of emergency and execution of four political prisoners, was too little too late, say rights groups.
Myanmar’s military regime executed four political prisoners including a former minister and a veteran activist, drawing shock and revulsion at the ‘cruel’ use of capital punishment in decades.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa is gone, but the 22 million people of the island nation are in no mood to trust his successor to lead them out of the terrible mess he left behind. The country’s worst-ever economic crisis has reduced Sri Lankans to buy less, eat less and work less.
Christians and civil society members across India paid rich tributes to Jesuit Father Stan Swamy on July 7, his first death anniversary. The 84-year Jesuit, who died a prisoner, is seen as a victim of India’s discriminatory socio-political system as he was detained for nine months without trial.
Hong Kong marks the 25th anniversary of the British handover to China as pro-democracy campaigners lament the erosion of the once-vibrant city’s freedom and rights.
Catholics in Asia cheered as Pope Francis named six new cardinals from the continent including the first cardinal from the marginalized Dalit community.